Use Permits for Archaeological & Paleontological Projects

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS and HOW TO APPLY

Who needs a cultural or paleontological resource use permit?

Any individual or organization interested in performing archaeological or paleontological fieldwork. This includes survey, excavation or site conservation on all BLM-managed land in Idaho. Permits will be issued to those who have the appropriate education, experience and capability to perform professionally acceptable cultural resource and paleontological studies. The permit establishes the basic qualifications of the permittee(s). Qualification requirements can be found here.

Idaho is a culturally diverse state with Great Basin, Plateau, and Plains cultural areas found within the state. Your application will be evaluated and permitted dependent upon the requisite experience for each of these areas. For instance if your application only shows Great Basin experience you will only be permitted for offices in southern Idaho. See the attached administrative boundaries map for requirements within each Field Office area. Please complete the "Experience Table" so we may evaluate your time of work in each area with both prehistoric and historic resources. Please be advised that Idaho does not issue "speculative" permits. The applicant must show a need for a specific project or groups of projects. Once acquired permits may be amended by request of the applicant.

What type(s) of approvals do I need?

The BLM issues Cultural Resource Use Permits (CRUP) to authorize cultural resources studies for research and/or for compliance activities pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act. Permits are issued under authority of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA) and its regulations; the Antiquities Act of 1906 and its regulations; and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA).

Archaeological Survey and Recordation permits are generally issued under the authority of FLPMA. When a proposed project involves ground disturbing archaeological investigations (limited testing or excavation and removal), a project specific ARPA Permit must be approved before work begins. ARPA applications require tribal consultation prior to issuance of a permit.

Paleontological work is authorized under the Paleontological Resources Protection Act of 2009 (PRPA). For paleontological studies and work on federal lands, you must apply for a Paleontological Resource Use Permit (PRUP).

Types of Permits

BLM issues permits for three categories of cultural resources work:

Survey/Recordation

Limited Testing

Excavation & Removal

Term of Permits

Applicants may apply for survey/recordation permits on a broad regional/statewide basis (“blanket”) for a 1 to 3 year period, dependent upon experience, performance and State Director’s discretion.

Applicants may still be issued project-specific permits dependent upon criteria above.

Permits are generally issued for no less than a one-year period.

Issuance of the CRUP/PRUP is BLM’s acknowledgement of the qualifications/expertise of a consulting firm and personnel to perform cultural resource or paleontological work on public lands within certain geographic/ethnographic areas. Applicants will be reviewed for Great Basin, Plateau and Plains expertise and will be issued a permit only for those regions where they meet the requisite qualifications.

Changes to personnel named in the permit, including the Principal Investigator and Field Supervisors, will require a permit amendment application by the permittee.

Issuance of a CRUP/PRUP does not provide authorization to commence fieldwork. In order to conduct actual fieldwork, approved permit holders must apply for and obtain a written fieldwork/project authorization from the appropriate Field Office Manager(s). This is the case for all permits, multi-year or project specific.

Fieldwork authorizations must be approved in writing by the local Field Office Manager. An applicant must hold a current CRUP/PRUP. Such authorizations allow the permit holder to conduct actual fieldwork for specific projects and specific locations. Issuance of a fieldwork authorization in no way indicates BLM’s approval of the proposed project or land-use for which the cultural resources survey is being conducted. The Field Manager may add Field Office specific stipulations or requirements to the authorization if not covered by the CRUP/PRUP.

How do I apply for a Cultural Resource Use Permit?

Submit form with evidence of a Curation Agreement with an acceptable curation facility (for limited testing and excavation & removal), a Statement of Qualifications, and resumes or curricula vitae for Principal Investigators and Supervisory Field Personnel (Field Directors/Crew Chiefs). Electronic submittals are accepted, but the signature of the prospective permit administrator must be included (PDF format is acceptable, but Word.doc format is preferable). All fields within the application must be complete and clear. Attach continuation sheets where needed.

Applications that are missing necessary information or required documentation in support of an information item may be withheld from further review until the needed information or documentation is provided. Detailed instructions for filling out the application can be found here.

How long does it take to get a Cultural Resource Use Permit?

Please allow for 90 days prior to your planned fieldwork in order to insure your application can be fully processed. Permit review and tribal consultation can require up to 60 days, which is the recommended minimum planning time.

How do I apply for a Paleontological Resource Use Permit?

Submit the form with evidence of a Curation Agreement with an acceptable curation facility, a Statement of Qualifications, and resumes or curricula vitae for Principal Investigators and Supervisory Field Personnel (Crew Chiefs). Electronic submittals are accepted but the signature of the prospective permit administrator must be included (PDF format is acceptable, but Word.doc format is preferable). All fields within the application must be complete and clear.

Where do I get a CRUP or PRUP?

All CRUPs and PRUPs are issued by State Directors, through or with the assistance of the appropriate Deputy State Director(s) or his or her delegate within the State Office, as assigned. The State Director or his or her delegate are responsible for receiving permit applications; for preparing permanent files; for conducting technical and management reviews to ensure that all qualifying requirements are met; for issuing or denying, modifying, suspending, and revoking permits. All applications and supporting material must be submitted to:

To expedite submittal and processing, it is preferred that applications be sent in digital format to Kirk Halford, Deputy Preservation Officer and State Archaeologist at the following email: fhalford@blm.gov.

What Happens once I receive a CRUP or PRUP?

Issuance of the CRUP or PRUP is BLM’s acknowledgement of the qualifications/expertise of a consulting firm and personnel to perform cultural resource or paleontological resource work on public lands within certain geographic/ethnographic areas. Applicants will be reviewed for Great Basin, Plateau and Plains expertise and will be issued a permit only for those regions where they meet the requisite qualifications. Issuance of a permit does not provide authorization to commence fieldwork. In order to conduct actual fieldwork, approved permit holders must apply for and obtain a written fieldwork/project authorization from the appropriate Field Office manager(s).

Who needs to apply for a Fieldwork Authorization (FA)?

Any individual or organization wanting to perform specific archeological or paleontological fieldwork, such as survey, excavation or site conservation, following the receipt of their approved CRUP/PRUP, must apply for a FA. This form requests specific information on the location, schedule and nature of the archeological fieldwork and allows BLM to communicate specific constraints on a project type, schedule or location. It also puts the permittee in direct contact with the Field Manager and staff specialist within the Field Office area in which work will be conducted. The Fieldwork Authorization request form, a map showing Field Office areas and contacts can be found here: Fieldwork Authorization Request | Field Office Locations | Contacts

How do I apply for a Fieldwork Authorization?

Contact the archaeologist/paleontologist at the BLM field office for the area in which the project will occur.

Complete the downloadable form Fieldwork Authorization Request and submit it to the Field Office for approval. Electronic submittals are accepted but the signature of the permit administrator must be included.

How long will the Permits and Field Authorizations be valid?

CRUPs and PRUPs can be issued for any period up to three years. Fieldwork Authorizations and ARPA permits are issued for the time frame established in the plan of work.

When do permits or field use authorizations need to be modified?

Whenever deletions or additions are made from the original application, changes in personnel, contact information, or changes in the type, schedule or location of the proposed work already permitted.